Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » ruthenium

ruthenium

(-t̸hē′nē əm)

noun

a rare, very hard and brittle, silver-gray chemical element, one of the platinum metals, used as a hardener in alloys of platinum and palladium and as a catalyst: symbol, Ru; at. no., 44

Origin: ModL: so named (1828) by G. W. Osann, Estonian-Russian chemist who produced it in impure form < ML Ruthenia, Russia (source of the ore) + -ium

See ruthenium in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun Symbol Ru

A hard silver-gray acid-resistant metallic element that is found in platinum ores and is used to harden platinum and palladium for jewelry and in alloys for nonmagnetic wear-resistant instrument pivots and electrical contacts. Atomic number 44; atomic weight 101.07; melting point 2,310°C; boiling point 3,900°C; specific gravity 12.41; valence 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. See Table at element.

Origin:

Origin: From Medieval Latin Ruthenia, Russia

Origin: , from Ruthenī, Russians

Origin: , from Russian Rusin

Origin: , from Old Russian Rusĭ, Russian; see Russian

Learn more about ruthenium

ruthenium medical definition

ruthenium science

ruthenium in a sentence

link/cite print suggestion box